Office of Research
Table of Contents
Profile & General Information ........................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Background, Mission & Vision............................................................................................................ 6 Values .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Two-Year Benchmarks (OVCR): ........................................................................................................ 9 Program Highlights ........................................................................................................................... 12 Next steps: 2014-2015 ....................................................................................................................... 14 Peer Comparison.............................................................................................................................. 16 SWOT Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 17 Financial Information ....................................................................................................................... 18 Personnel ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Appendix 1: Financial Information ................................................................................................. 23 Appendix 2: Marine & Coastal Science B.S. Program ................................................................. 25 Appendix 3: Proposal and Bylaws for Ph.D. Program:Graduate Group in Marine Sciences .. 26
Appendix 4: ISOpods K-12 Program Proposal……………………………………………...………….49
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Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
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Profile & General Information
Name:
Year Established:
Director:
Executive
Director:
Associate
Directors:
Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
2013
Richard Grosberg
[email protected]
530 752-1114
Shauna Oh (effective January 2015)
Prof. Tessa Hill, Academic Programs
[email protected]
530 752-0179 and 707 875-1910
Prof. John Largier, Research Enterprises
[email protected]
707 875-1930
Prof. James Sanchirico, Center for Coastal Ocean Issues
[email protected]
530 754-9883
Administrative
Contact:
Carla Muñoz, MSO
[email protected]
2320 Storer Hall
Sherri Mann, CMSI Administrative Support
[email protected]
2320 Storer Hall
Location and
General
Contact:
Space:
Significant
Equipment/
Instrumentation:
Shauna Oh, Ph.D., Executive Director
Contact information available 1 January 2015
E: [email protected]
P: 530 752-1284
F: 530 752-1449
W: [email protected]/
CMSI Offices & Conference Room, 1347 Storer Hall
900 ASF
n/a
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Executive Summary
Building on its reputation for solutions-driven, outcome-oriented research in integrative
environmental science, UC Davis inaugurated the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI)
in July 2013, to become a global leader in coastal and marine sciences and policy. CMSI was
established to 1) coordinate and promote the diverse research activities of the marine science
and policy community at UC Davis, (2) educate future scientists and leaders who will make
coastal sustainability a priority and reality; and (3) foster innovative partnerships for discovering,
understanding, and communicating science for effective stewardship of ocean and coastal
environments in California and beyond. More than any other academic institution in the world,
UC Davis has the intellectual history, resources, and strategic commitment that could help CMSI
develop and implement science-based outcomes for the future health of the coastal oceans.
Our accomplishments for our first year (2013-2014) year reflect an exciting time of establishment,
development and partnership-building in support of the four key proposed CMSI focus areas:
Marine Sciences Education, Novel Research Enterprises, Center for Coastal Ocean Issues, and
the Marine Sciences Learning Center. CMSI laid the foundation for establishing education
programs to train the 21st century workforce; catalyzing emerging and novel research
collaborations across departments, colleges, and schools; and building relationships with
regional, state, federal, non-profit and private organizations. In less than a year, CMSI has made
remarkable progress with the formal launch of our new undergraduate major in Marine and
Coastal Science, and the submission of a proposal for a comprehensive new Ph.D. program in
marine science and policy. CMSI submitted proposals to advance integrative activities that
coalesce faculty expertise around unique critical research and education topics. The Center for
Coastal Ocean Issues was launched as part of CMSI to create a collaborative forum for
addressing critical coastal environmental issues with engagement from resource management
agencies, ocean industries, and the public. In collaboration with the Sonoma County Regional
Parks, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors, the Exploratorium and other partners, CMSI also began developing public
education outreach programs aimed at improving scientific literacy on coastal issues.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
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Founding Director appointed (July 2013)
CMSI Executive Director selected (October 2014)
Associate Directors formally appointed: Academic Programs, Research Enterprises,
Center for Coastal Ocean Issues
CMSI website up and running: cmsi.ucdavis.edu
Physical space allocated for office and conference and remodel Phase 1 nearly
completed
Inaugural CMSI Faculty meeting held in December 2013 (60 faculty in attendance)
Organized and hosted a public lecture series and workshops on science communication
and society by Joe Palca
Marine & Coastal Sciences undergraduate major formally approved
Marine Science Ph.D. program proposal under final internal review by CMSI faculty
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HIP Proposal submitted: Coastal Ocean Sustainability Initiative requesting 6 new positions
in coastal marine science and policy
CMSI-UC Davis-Exploratorium “alumni gala” on 19 November 2014
Major gifts amounting to $60K [one from The Hoefer Family Foundation ($50K over 2
years); one from The Swerdlow Family Foundation ($10K over 2 years)]
Briefings held with local government officials, including US Congressional Representatives
Garamendi & Huffman, & California Assemblyman Levine
$1.9 million NSF collaborative Coastal SEES proposal on Tomales Bay submitted (January
2014) by Ted Grosholz et al. to NSF
ISOpods K-12 program proposal completed in collaboration with Office of Development
Co-hosted Congressman Jared Huffman press conference at Bodega Marine Laboratory
on ocean acidification
Featured on KQED’s Forum show on climate change, ocean acidification and coastal
sustainability/sustainable mariculture
Developed partnerships and initiated planning discussions to establish the Bodega Bay
Coastal Learning and Outreach Center with primary partners NOAA, Sonoma County
Regional Parks, and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors ($50K planning fund
established)
Video walls and touchscreens installed at Bodega Marine Lab (and ready for installation
in Storer Hall) – supported by gifts from the Hoefer Family Foundation
Inaugural seminar series established beginning Spring 2015
Inaugural workshop series planned beginning Spring 2015
Established a partnership between the Center for Coastal Ocean Issues and the UC Davis
Policy Institute to co-sponsor science-policy workshop
Co-hosted Chancellor’s Club event at Bodega Marine Lab
POSITIONING FOR FUTURE SUCCESS
CMSI has provided for the first time a coherent and vibrant identity among the numerous marine
scientists on campus and at Bodega Marine Laboratory. However, in order for this campus-wide
initiative to succeed, CMSI will need to develop a comprehensive strategic plan (supported by
the Office of Research, Office of Development and Strategic Communications) to guide the
decisions on UC Davis investments in marine and coastal science and policy. The plan will
include a sustainable funding model for CMSI and its associated academic programs, as well as
a communications and marketing strategy that packages and delivers messages that resonate
with current and potential donors, partners and stakeholders, and improves the internal and
external visibility and recognition of CMSI.
We envision CMSI within a broader framework at UC Davis that coalesces and expands our
existing strengths and that leverages our unique geographic position in the heart of California.
What we are calling the Sierra-to-the-Sea (S2S) framework explicitly links the key iconic features
of California: the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Central Valley, the Delta, San Francisco Bay, and
the coastal ocean; and builds on the strengths of existing centers and projects at UC Davis,
including the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, the Center for Watershed Sciences, and
the Bodega Marine Laboratory. To this end, CMSI will continue building partnerships with TERC,
JMIE, CWS and PIEEE to strengthen the S2S framework and to improve our marketing,
communications and development capacity.
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Background, Mission & Vision
We are living in the era of the sea, generated by
increasing recognition that the global oceans provide
vital biological, physical, and societal benefits, and that
human activities have, are, and will continue to seriously
jeopardize these essential functions. In our own state,
where almost three quarters (and a rapidly growing
fraction) of the population lives within 20 miles of one of
the most biologically and economically productive
coastlines in the world, the challenges of a sustainable
coastal ocean are especially critical and urgent.
Answering this challenge is a natural and essential part of
UC Davis’s commitment to be the world’s leader in global
sustainability.
Developing innovative, comprehensive, and
sustainable solutions to these challenges requires a new
generation of collaborations involving the full spectrum of
biological, medical, physical, and social sciences,
context that only historians can provide, and novel
partnerships that fully engage constituencies well beyond
the traditional bounds of academia. More than any
other academic institution in the world, UC Davis has the
intellectual history, resources, and strategic commitment
to become a global leader for developing and
implementing positive, science-based outcomes for the
future health of the coastal oceans, including the development of sustainable and safe
marine food supply.
To this end, in July of 2013, UC Davis established the Coastal and Marine Sciences
Institute (CMSI). CMSI’s mission is to (1) coordinate and promote the diverse research
activities of the marine science and policy community at UC Davis, (2) educate future
scientists and leaders who will make coastal sustainability a priority and reality; and (3) foster
innovative partnerships for discovering, understanding, and communicating science for
effective stewardship of ocean and coastal environments in California and beyond. Our
vision is to be a world-leading interdisciplinary research and educational institute, focusing
on the economic, ecological, and social challenges of rapidly changing and increasingly
crowded coastal and ocean environments.
CMSI leverages our physical presence near one of the most productive and
economically valuable marine ecosystems in the world, a world-class marine laboratory
and natural reserve at the epicenter of this ecosystem, broad faculty expertise, and a long
history of dedication to increasing public understanding of our world through science to
solve the challenges facing the coastal systems upon which so many rely upon for food,
economic support, and recreation.
As part of the CMSI, we have launched the Center for Coastal Ocean Issues (CCOI).
The CCOI serves as an international nexus of synthetic science applied to coastal marine
management and policy. Unlike other potentially comparable centers in the US, CCOI is
distinguished by its engagement of all stakeholders into the development of relevant
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research programs, and the translation of the best science into public policy. Our proximity
to Sacramento makes UC Davis an indispensable partner in addressing challenges in
stewardship by engaging with resource management agencies, ocean industries and the
public. In addition, our Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy is a close
partner, broadening the collaborative reach of CMSI and CCOI, and our impacts on
comprehensive environmental planning from the Sierra to the Sea.
In its first year, CMSI has also taken major steps toward fortifying and expanding UC
Davis’ research enterprises by advancing integrative activities, including the submission of a
multi-million dollar collaborative NSF proposal, that coalesce faculty expertise around
critical public-sector or industrial research needs. These efforts fall within three domains,
specifically 1) Climate and Environmental Change, 2) Ocean Health, and 3) Natural
Resource Management. As befits CMSI’s core philosophy, the unifying feature across each
of these areas builds on connectivity—between the land and the sea, the coastal and the
deep ocean, academic disciplines, and stakeholders.
The foundation for achieving the goal of a healthy, beautiful, and sustainable coastal
ocean fundamentally depends on educating the next generation to understand and
address these issues with creative, multidisciplinary solutions. To this end, CMSI has
established a new undergraduate major in Marine Coastal Sciences as well as a Graduate
Group in Marine Sciences. This new major draws from top-ranked, nationally recognized
programs at UC Davis, including Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Earth and Planetary
Sciences, Environmental Science and Policy, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. The
major in Marine and Coastal Sciences emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of marine
sciences by exposing students to the full spectrum of disciplines that constitute modern
marine science and policy, and by requiring hands-on experiences as interns or researchers
in at least one sub-discipline. The creation of a formal undergraduate major, along with the
establishment of a new Ph.D. program in Coastal Marine Sciences, are also critical steps
toward UC Davis finally receiving the rankings and recognition it deserves in marine science
and policy.
CMSI is building our public education outreach through the creation of The Bodega
Learning Center. The BLC will improve public scientific literacy on marine and coastal issues
through investigative and interactive learning, and provide a public gateway to the coastal
ecosystems and natural resources of the northern California coast. Extending the
exceptional facilities and programs of the Bodega Marine Laboratory, and in collaboration
with Sonoma County Regional Parks, National Oceanic and Atmopsheric Administration,
the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the Exploratorium, and other partners, the Center
will advance public understanding of the local environment and the process of scientific
discovery, bringing research discoveries to life. In addition, a newly established
collaboration with The Exploratorium of San Francisco is further extending CMSI’s impact on
public understanding of northern California coastal sustainability.
Coastal and marine ecosystem health and its connection to our economic,
environmental and social well-being are unquestionable. With growing populations, these
sensitive ecosystems will experience even greater demand. It is evident that we need to
start approaching these problems differently in order to determine the pathway to
coexistence between human activities and ecological processes. The CMSI and its “Sierrato the-Sea” approach to the complex challenges facing our aquatic landscapes are
establishing a new paradigm for integrative marine research. By leveraging the vast
resources of UC Davis in a comprehensive way, CMSI and its partners are poised to achieve
a collaborative sustainable resource management approach that is sensitive to the needs
of a diverse stakeholder network, that is informed by the latest research, and implemented
by a current and new generation of resource managers.
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Values
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Coherent identity: coalesce marine scientists
on the main campus and at Bodega Marine
Laboratory
Sustainability: preserve the economic,
ecological, and social benefits of the ocean
and coastal environment
Stewardship: understand, protect, and
enhance the value of ocean and coastal environments
Interdisciplinarity: define, pursue, and solve major challenges facing the coast and
ocean
Connectivity: between the land and sea, between places in the ocean, between
academic disciplines and stakeholders (Sierra-to-the-Sea framework)
Partnerships: build relationships to leverage resources; address problems together;
fair and honest brokers among partners
Innovation: new ideas, collaborations, approches, and solutions
Effectiveness: achieve success
Quality: continue the UC Davis tradition of research and educational excellence
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Two-Year Benchmarks (OVCR):
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Create a Strategic Plan for CMSI
o Develop mission and vision statements that will differentiate CMSI and create
an associated strategic plan and timeline in consultation with UC Davis
faculty and administration. The strategic plan should include detailed
descriptions and strategies for excellence and sustainability in the four key
proposed CMSI focus areas: “Novel Research Enterprise” (including Bodega
Marine Laboratory operations), “The Marine Sciences Learning Center,” the
“Center for Coastal Ocean Issues (CCOI),” and the “Marine Sciences
Educational Program (MSEP).” Within the strategic plan, develop a
sustainable business model for CMSI operations, including programmatic
space and infrastructure needs at BML and on campus. Establish evaluation
matrices to assess the performance of the CMSI.
o Key deliverable: A Strategic Plan for CMSI by December 2015
o Progress as of 1 November 2014:
 Initiated development of CMSI/BML Master Plan in collaboration with
Campus Planner Bob Segar (not done for BML since 1964)
 Meetings with Blue North and other consultants to discuss options for
revising 2011 MSIPC Draft Strategic Plan
 Executive Committee established short-term strategic priorities
 Housing/Conference Center planning
exercise in collaboration with colleagues
(Prof. David de la Peña) and senior
studio projects in Landscape and
Environmental Design
 Initiated discussions with faculty and
administrative leadership re:
comprehensive analysis of infrastructure to support marine science
research and teaching on main campus and BML, including inventory
of existing infrastructure, and present and future needs
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Establish CMSI educational programs
o Champion the development of undergraduate and graduate degree
programs and professional training opportunities. Complete the process of
establishing the undergraduate Marine Biology Program and core curriculum.
o Key deliverable: Establishment of formal undergraduate major and significant
progress towards establishing new postgraduate educational program in
Marine Sciences.
o Progress as of 1 November 2014:
 New Marine and Coastal Science undergraduate major approved in
Spring quarter 2014 (currently ca. 40 majors):
http://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/programs/mcsci/index.html
• Catalog description in Appendix 2
 Proposal for a new Graduate Group in Marine Sciences fully drafted
and ready to be submitted to Graduate Council and Graduate
Studies by 1 November 2014: Appendix 3
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Lead CMSI Research
o Foster and nurture existing marine sciences research activities. Advance
integrative activities that coalesce faculty expertise around unique critical
research and education topics. Work closely with key UC Davis stakeholders
to develop a strategy and timeline for competing for large collaborative
grants from diverse funding sources. Also, work closely with the UC Davis
Development team to identify opportunities for philanthropic donations of
scale from both individuals and Foundations.
o Key deliverable: Lead at least one effort to bring in a major grant or gift to
support an interdisciplinary research
program(s).
o Progress as of 1 November 2014:
 $1.9 million collaborative Coastal SEES
proposal on Tomales Bay submitted
(January 2014) by Ted Grosholz et al.
to NSF
• Full participation by faculty
from CA&ES, CBS, SVM, and
CL&S
• Reviews were strongly positive
– will resubmit in 2015
 $1.7 million collaborative proposal to be submitted to NSF Coupled
Human and Natural Systems program (18 November 2014)
 Proposal submitted for coastal and bay monitoring partnership with
Chevron Corporation
 Proposals drafted for Heising-Simons Foundation and Moore
Foundation
 Inaugural CMSI all-faculty meeting held on campus in December 2013,
attended by >50 UC Davis faculty and researchers
 Scheduled a second all-day CMSI research conference for March 19,
2015 at UC Davis
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Lay the Foundation for CMSI Administrative Leadership
o Develop and lead selection process for BML leadership positions, including a
permanent Director for BML, CCOI and MSEP.
o Key Deliverable: Appoint leadership positions in CMSI focus areas.
o Progress as of 1 November 2014:
 All key leadership positions for CMSI filled:
• Prof. Tessa Hill, Associate Director for Academic Programs
• Prof. Jim Sanchirico, Associate Director for Policy and the
Center for Coastal Ocean Issues
• Prof. John Largier, Associate Director for Research Enterprises
• Shauna Oh, Ph.D., Executive Director CMSI (effective 1 January
2015)
 Coordination with administrative leadership at BML:
• Prof. Gary Cherr, Interim Director
• Patrick Helbling, Associate Director
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Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
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Development of a CMSI Outreach and Communication Strategy
o Establish a strong ‘brand identity’ for CMSI that clearly distinguishes it from
other competitor marine sciences organizations. Develop a communication
strategy to effectively manage information flow between key UC Davis
stakeholders.
o Key deliverable: Develop a strong identity for CMSI through development of
an effective communications plan.
o Progress as of 1 November 2014:
 CMSI website (cmsi.ucdavis.edu) and
listserver established in November
2013
 Briefings at UC Davis, Bodega Marine
Laboratory, and Hog Island Oyster
Company with local government
officials including Congressman John
Garamendi, Congressman Jared
Huffman, and Assemblyman Mark
Levine
 Press conference co-hosted with BML
by Jared Huffman on ocean
acidification and threats to coastal
environments and economies (June
2014)
 CMSI and BML scientists featured on
KQED’s Forum (June 2014)
 ISOpods K-12 program proposal completed in collaboration with
Office of Development (see Appendix 4)
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Co-hosting major Exploratorium-CMSI-UC Davis Alumni Gala (19
November 2014 at the Exploratorium), featuring 7 core CMSI research
groups (Ocean Acidification; Coastal Meteorology; Marine Invasive
Species and Restoration; Seagrass Ecosystems; Larval Transport and
Sustainable Fisheries; Ocean Health, Pathogens, and Pollution)
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Program Highlights
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Founding Director appointed (July 2013)
CMSI website up and running: cmsi.ucdavis.edu
Physical space allocated for office and conference and remodel Phase 1 nearly
completed
Inaugural CMSI Faculty meeting held in December 2013 (60 faculty in attendance)
Organized and hosted a public lecture series and
workshops on science communication and society by Joe
Palca, Chief Science Correspondent, National Public
Radio (November 2013), with broad support from two UC
Davis IGERTs (REACH and CCWAS) (Climate Change,
Water, and Society IGERT), the John Muir Institute of the
Environment, the College of Agricultre and Environmental
Sciences, the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Office of
Strategic Communications, the College of Biological
Sciences, and the Center for Population Biology. The
public talk was attended by over 400 community
members, and >100 UC Davis faculty, students, and
administrative leaders participated in workshops and other
events.
Marine & Coastal Sciences undergraduate major formally approved (40+ majors
currently):
o Open house for prospective majors, advisors, and faculty held on 15 Oct. 2014
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Marine Science Ph.D. program proposal under final internal review by CMSI faculty
o To be submitted to Graduate Studies by 15 November 2014
CMSI Executive Director selected in October 2014
o Shauna Oh, Ph.D., currently Associate Director, California Sea Grant
HIP Proposal submitted: Coastal Ocean Sustainability Initiative requesting 6 new
positions in coastal marine science and policy (highly ranked but not supported)
Associate Directors formally appointed: Tessa Hill (Academic Programs), John Largier
(Research Enterprises), & Jim Sanchirico (Center for Coastal Ocean Issues)
CMSI-UC Davis-Exploratorium “alumni gala” scheduled for 19 November 2014 (focus
on development of undergraduate and graduate
student exchanges with Exploratorium partners)
Major gifts amounting to $60K [one from The Hoefer
Family Foundation ($50K over 2 years); one from The
Swerdlow Family Foundation ($10K over 2 years)]
Briefings held with local government officials, including US
Congressional Representatives Garamendi & Huffman &
California Assemblyman Levine
$1.9 million NSF collaborative Coastal SEES proposal on Tomales Bay submitted
(January 2014) by Ted Grosholz et al. to NSF
o This proposal represents the first major grant submitted by CMSI faculty, and
includes PIs from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the
School of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Letters and Sciences, the
College of Engineeering, and the College of Biological Sciences.
o The proposal focuses on the interactions among agriculture, mariculture,
ranching, and tourism that fuel the economy of the Point Reyes/Tomales Bay
region, and the economic and environmental sustainability of that coastal
ecosystem in the face of multiple anthropogenic and natural internal and
external drivers. Proposal declined with strong reviews, to be resubmitted in
October 2015.
o $1.7 million collaborative proposal to be submitted to NSF Coupled Human
and Natural Systems program (18 November 2014)
ISOpods K-12 program proposal completed in collaboration with Office of
Development
Co-hosted Congressman Jared Huffman press conference at Bodega Marine
Laboratory on ocean acidification
Featured on KQED’s Forum show on climate change, ocean acidification and
coastal sustainability/sustainable mariculture (with John Largier, Terry Sawyer (Hog
Island Oyster Compnay partner), and Congressman Jared Huffman)
Developed partnerships and initiated planning discussions to establish the Bodega
Bay Coastal Learning and Outreach Center with primary partners NOAA, Sonoma
County Regional Parks, and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors ( $100K planning
fund established)
Video walls and touchscreens installed at Bodega Marine Lab (and ready for
installation in Storer Hall) – supported by gifts from the Hoefer Family Foundation
Inaugural seminar series established beginning Spring 2015
Inaugural workshop series planned beginning Spring 2015
Established a partnership between the Center for Coastal Ocean Issues and the UC
Davis Policy Institute to co-sponsor science-policy workshops.
Co-hosted Chancellor’s Club event at Bodega Marine Lab
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Next steps: 2014-2015
• Develop a comprehensive CMSI strategic plan that updates and refines the 2012 draft
plan, and that includes a sustainable business plan for CMSI and its associated
academic programs.
• Finish renovations of CMSI office and conference space in Storer Hall: There were
substantial delays in starting the renovations due to excessive cost estimates that were
not projected in the initial planning. We split the renovation into phases and
reevaluated the needs. The project, as planned, is nearly halfway complete, under
budget, and the main office and conference space should be finished by 1 January
2015, with the remaining renovations completed by 31 March 2015.
• CMSI Launch and Open House: With the near-completion of the CMSI headquarters
on campus, and the arrival of Executive Director Shauna Oh (January 2015), we plan
to host a major public event on campus (Fall 2015).
• Appoint a CMSI External Advisory Board: The ideal model for starting an external
advisory board for CMSI remains a challenge, but we will propose an initially small
board, with ca. 5 members, to be expanded in 2015-2016. We have waited to make
these appointments until our vision, needs, and strategic plans have coalesced.
• Complete installation of video-conferencing system between main campus and BML:
All hardware has been purchased and installed at both locations, to be linked by
PolyCom software. We are working with IET to ensure reliability and quality for use by
Spring Quarter 2015.
• Complete the establishment of a Ph.D. program in Coastal Marine Sciences at UC
Davis: The final proposal is now ready to be submitted to the Graduate Division, and
once approved, CMSI leadership (Tessa Hill and Steven Morgan) will continue to
shepherd the proposal through systemwide approval.
• Initiate CMSI seminar series: Now that the administrative infrastructure of CMSI is in
place, we have begun to plan for a monthly seminar series, rotating between the
main campus and BML. Planning and hosting will fully engage CMSI graduate student
and postdoctoral affiliates. We hope to use the seminar series to attract a broad
audience of the academic and non-academic community, and as a platform for
endowed support from an individual donor or donors.
• Initiate CMSI inaugural workshops and conferences: We have now begun the
planning for 3 major CMSI/CCOI workshops over the next 18 months. These workshops
will build on partnerships with the Policy Institute, the Center for Watershed Sciences,
and the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, among others. The inaugural topics
will likely include…
o Salmon and drought in California and beyond
o Ocean acidification: impacts of coastal ecosytems and economies
o Coastal pathogens, pollution, and land-sea interactions
o Invasive species and their impacts and control in coastal ecosystems
• Develop infrastructure to compile data on accomplishments of CMSI faculty, graduate
students, and other researchers: With the arrival of Executive Director Oh, we will
finalize the development of a Survey Monkey web portal that will simplify how CMSI
researchers update their research profiles and accomplishments, including
participation on boards, commissions, and panels.
• Build relationships with Office of Development and Strategic Communications to
improve the external visibility of CMSI: It is becoming increasingly apparent that UC
Davis lacks the marketing expertise in environmental sciences for us to achieve the
presence warranted by the excellence of our research and academic programs.
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CMSI is building its partnerships with TERC, JMIE, and CWS to improve our marketing,
communciations, and development capacity.
Advance the infrastructure and leadership for the Sierra to the Sea framework at UC
Davis
CMSI Fellows Program: Working with the Development Office, develop a funding
model to support 3-5 CMSI Postdoctoral Fellows, and 3-5 Faculty Research Fellows
Endowed Professorships: We aim to develop external support initially for 3-5 Endowed
Professorships in Coastal Marine Science and Policy.
CMSI Internship Program: We have now secured partnerships with both the
Exploratorium and the California Academy of
Sciences that will allow us to develop
comprehensive undergraduate and graduate
internship programs at these world-reknown
Bay Area centers for research and public
engagement. In collaboration with the Office
of Development, we are collaboratively
developing proposals for external funding to
support these internship programs.
Housing and Conference Center: There
continues to be a pressing need to develop a
new model for housing and conference support at Bodega Marine Lab. CMSI will
continue discussions with Head Campus Planner Bob Segar and BML Director Gary
Cherr to develop plans for new housing and conference facilities in the next BML
Master Plan (not done since 1964).
Continue planning for Bodega Learning Center: In partnership with NOAA, Sonoma
Regional Parks, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Land Trust,
and the Exploratorium, CMSI and BML will continue to co-lead the effort to establish a
new public educational and outreach facility at Mason’s Marina, adjacent to Bodega
Marine Lab.
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Peer Comparison
Second only to Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego), UC Davis has the
most coastal/marine science faculty of any of the UC campuses (SIO-UC San Diego: 242;
UC Davis: 74; UC Santa Cruz: 65; UC Santa Barbara: 45). According to data gathered by
staff at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, “UC Davis ranks in the upper quartile of (>41 faculty)
of marine programs nationally in size of faculty. On the west coast, non-oceanographic
institutions with >50 marine scientists include UC Davis (≈70), UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa
Cruz, Oregon State University, and the University of Washington.”
The UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute does not fall into the standard
categories of being either an oceanographic institution (e.g., Scripps Institution of
Oceangraphy, UC San Diego; Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University) or a
marine lab/field station (e.g., Long Marine Lab, UC Santa Cruz; Friday Harbor Labs, University
of Washington; Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University). Instead, like the Marine Science
Institute (MSI) at UC Santa Barbara, and the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa
Cruz, CMSI is an umbrella organization that aims to consolidate and coordinate marine
research, education, and outreach across multiple academic and/or Organized Research
Units. Also, like these other more or less comparable units within the UC system, CMSI has
minimal infrastructure and staff, and instead aims to sponsor activities and programs that
fuel innovation and collaboration, and that raises the internal and external profile of marine
science at our respective campuses.
Unlike MSI and IMS, CMSI aims to play a much more active role in advancing research
and educational programs in marine science at UC Davis, especially in fostering close links
between science and policy, between scientists spanning the full gamut of the natural and
social sciences, and between policymakers, stakeholders and scientists. In some of these
ways, CMSI more closely resembles organizations like the Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)
at Stanford, and the California Ocean Sciences Trust (OST). What distinguishes CMSI from
COS is (1) our focus on coastal ecosystems, (2) our commitment to look both outward to the
sea and landward toward the watersheds that influence so many coastal processes, and
(3) our explicit inclusion of educational programs, both undergraduate and graduate, as
part of the domain of CMSI. Similarly, CMSI differs from organizations like OST, which are
essentially “boundary” organizations that translate marine science into policy, in our core
research and educational missions. In other words, we do the science, and train the next
generation of scientists, policymakers, and citizens.
As CMSI moves into its second year, we are aware of the importance of establishing
more precisely who our peer organizations are, and developing clear metrics that allow us
to assess how well we are performing, both internally and externally. The two most
important steps toward receiving a formal external ranking of our programs in marine
science and policy are the establishment of formal academic programs. In this respect,
CMSI has made remarkable progress in less than a year, with the formal launch of our new
undergraduate major in Marine and Coastal Science, and the near completion of a
proposal for a comprehensive new Ph.D. program in marine science and policy. Obviously,
much remains to be done, but we are quickly establishing our identity in the crowded
seascape of coastal marine science and policy, and we will soon have assembled a
comprehensive database that monitors the achievements of our researchers and students.
Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2013-14
Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
Page 16
SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS
• Broad support from >60 UC Davis faculty
• Comprehesive research and academic
excellence across the full-spectrum of
biological, physical & social sciences
(including economics, law, & policy)
• Culture of collaborative, interdisciplinary
research & training programs focusing on
coastal communities & ecosystems
• Commitment to, & reputation for, serving a
broad range of stakeholders with the best
available science
• Reputation for solution-based, outcomeoriented research in marine science
• Ideal location, with world-class marine lab
situated in a region of unique global economic
& biological significance, & main campus near
the political center of CA
• Newly established undergraduate major in
Marine & Coastal Sciences
OPPORTUNITIES
• Unfilled geographic niche: no academic
organization is strongly associated with coastal
northern California
• Unfilled research & policy niche: no other
institute focuses on links between the sea and
land, & their unique challenges
• Healthy supply of potential partners and
donors, including federal, state, regional, &
local natural resource agencies, foundations,
individual donors, & industries interested in
coastal marine sciences & sustainable uses of
coastal ecosystems
• High demand for new knowledge and novel
scientific & policy paradigms to address
pressing challenges in sustainably managing
coastal ecosystems
• Strong educational demand for interdisciplinary training in marine science
• Strong workforce demand for individuals with
science & policy training in marine resource
management
• Positive public attitudes toward protection of
the coast & oceans, & need for better
stewardship through informed citizenry, &
discovery- & place-based education
Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2013-14
Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
WEAKNESSES
• Low visibility: marine science programs at
UC Davis lack history & name recognition
• Internal & external partnerships need more
extensive development
• CMSI is a new venture in a crowded
landscape of other academic & nonacademic marine science & policy
organizations in CA & beyond
• Limited funding & administrative support,
especially in the realm of strategic
planning, development, & marketing,
external affairs & communications
• Sustainability of additional inter-disciplinary
collaborations across too many institutional
structures with competing demands &
interests
THREATS
• Stagnation of support for higher education
& research; support increasingly tied to
near-term outcomes
• Lack of clear guidelines re: indirect cost
returns and accounting for extramural
support and other forms of research &
academic productivity
• Increasing competition from other marine
science & policy programs in California &
beyond, including growing number of
“boundary” organizations
• Omission in national rankings for marine
science programs
• Limited environmental & ocean literacy
regarding environmental & economic
challenges in the coastal oceans
• Limited directly marketable outputs from
research and educational activities: i.e.,
there are large economic stakes in the
management of ocean and coastal
natural resources, but few large economic
interests
Page 17
Appendix 2: Marine & Coastal Science B.S.
Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2013-14
Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
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